Share Our Strength's Taste of The Nation is the nation's premier culinary benefit dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger. The funds raised at Taste of the Nation events, which are held in nearly 40 cities across the country, support Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign. The campaign helps to end childhood hunger in America by building public awareness about the issue as well as the solution, increasing participation in public nutrition programs, and teaching families to cook healthy, affordable meals through the Cooking Matters program.
I have attended Taste of the Nation Boston in the past and was fortunate to attend the event again this year. The event brings amazing local chefs and restaurateurs, as well as nationwide sponsors, together under one roof. This year the event was held at the Cruiseport at Black Falcon Pier. This spacious location included a large main floor lined with tables, an outdoor area for food trucks, and a VIP lounge upstairs.
One table I took note of soon after arriving was that of OneHope Wine. OneHope's Sparkling Brut's featured cause is Share Our Strength. For every case bought 100 healthy meals are provided to children in the United States. OneHope donates half of all profits to charity and supports many other causes -- even pet adoption through the ASPCA.
While I sipped my sparkling wine, I began making my way around the room, sampling the offerings from local Boston-area restaurants.
Trade had a green garlic soup with currants.
Ming Tsai, of Blue Ginger, was preparing shrimp and pork toasts with sambal sauce.
Rialto had a char crudo with spicy coconut dipping sauce and and spring vegetable salad, while Blue Inc. had olive oil-poached tuna with tomato crackling, black olive aioli, and cucumber salad.
Bergamot had a fun savory panna cotta dish, and Tremont 647 had crab rangoon consisting of fried wontons, jalapeño cream cheese, and crab salad.
Toro went light with grilled asparagus salad with citrus, cured egg yolk, and Marcona almonds.
Area Four had a duck and pork country terrine served on a red wine cracker with spring vegetable relish and Dijon mustard. This was definitely my favorite bite of the evening. Over at the Zocalo table, I tried crispy corn tortillas topped with guacamole and cotija.
Craigie on Main served up pumpernickel pretzels with mustard. 80 Thoreau had crisp brik cigars with brisket, green garlic, and parsnip.
I had to stop by and say hi to Sarah, Nicole, and Joanne of Flour Bakery. They were making raspberry-rhubarb shortcakes.
And next door, Eastern Standard had lavender cream-filled mini doughnuts. Just the perfect bite to end on.
Back inside I discovered one of my favorite tables: the St-Germain table. There, they were mixing up St-Germain Cocktails.
Cocktail in hand, I headed upstairs to check out the VIP lounge. Neptune Oyster was shucking oysters and had a few varieties to try.
The view was amazing from up in the lounge, both of the water and the scene below.
So many great restaurants showed up to support such an amazing cause. This event is always a good time, but it was even better in its spacious new location. It was a lot of fun seeing food trucks there this year. If you've never been to Taste of the Nation, I suggest checking it out, either in Boston or a city near you.
In addition to supporting Cooking Matters Massachusetts, Project Bread, and the Greater Boston Food Bank, due to the tragic events at this year's Boston Marathon, Share Our Strength is also donating to Boston Medical Center to support their efforts in the aftermath of the tragedy.
This event was complimentary, but as always my opinions are my own.
What are your favorite food-related benefits?